Sunday, January 12, 2014

Harrwitz lived in England from 1849, and founded the British Chess Review. In 1856 he moved to Paris, where he won a match against Jules Arnous de Rivière. In 1858 he played a match against Paul Morphy in Paris. Harrwitz won the first two games, but lost the match 5½-2½. Wikipedia

White is threatening to win black's c-pawn and to promote his own. Morphy makes a simple but instructive maneuver. Black to move.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Owen, John - Morphy, Paul, London, 1858. Morphy played this game in London, 1858, against John Owen at "pawn and move" odds -- as Black and without his f-pawn. Owen just moved Re1-e3 to protect the vulnerable f2 and f3 squares. Can you see how Morphy finished him off?

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Barnes was one of the leading British chess masters at the time of Paul Morphy's visit to the UK in 1858. Barnes had the happy fortune of having the best record against Morphy during the latter's visit, winning eight games and losing nineteen. wikipedia

Black (Morphy) to move. Can you see his surprising move and why it is winning?

Monday, January 6, 2014

The first American Chess Congress, organized by Daniel Willard Fiske and held in New York, October 6 to November 10, 1857, was won by Paul Morphy. ... First prize was $300. Morphy refused any money, but accepted a silver service consisting of a pitcher, four goblets, and a tray. Morphy’s prize was given to him by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.